‘‘I didn’t think that was possible.’’ I joke sarcastically, mouth over my brain and sigh at myself for this inability to stop trying to get a rise out of him. I lose my bravado, face paling as I catch yet another unimpressed look thrown at me and return to my list.

So much for wearing my mask of sassy and indifference, like all my best-laid plans … they go to shit when faced with him.

‘‘Any kink requests that I need to cover?’’ I go back to flicking the ...